Hybrid energy systems are being utilized for supplying electrical energy in urban, rural and remote areas to overcome the intermittence of solar and wind resources. A hybrid renewable energy system incorporates two or more electricity generation options based on renewable energy or fossil fuel unit. The techno-economic analysis of the hybrid system is essential for the efficient utilization of renewable energy resources. Due to multiple generation systems, hybrid system analysis, is quite complex and requires to be analyzed thoroughly. This requires software tools for the design, analysis, optimization, and economic viability of the systems. In this paper, 19 softwares with their main features and current status are presented. The softwares studied are HOMER, Hybrid2, RETScreen, iHOGA, INSEL, TRNSYS, iGRHYSO, HYBRIDS, RAPSIM, SOMES, SOLSTOR, HySim, HybSim, IPSYS, HySys, Dymola/Modelica, ARES, SOLSIM, and HYBRID DESIGNER. The research work related to hybrid systems carried out using these softwares at different locations worldwide is also reviewed. The main objective of the paper is to provide the current status of these softwares to provide basic insight for a researcher to identify and utilize suitable tool for research and development studies of hybrid systems. The capabilities of different softwares are also highlighted. The limitations, availability and areas of further research have also been identified.

Review of software tools for hybrid renewable energy systems

The introduction of microgrids in distribution networks based on power electronics facilitates the use of renewable energy resources, distributed generation (DG) and storage systems while improving the quality of electric power and reducing losses thus increasing the performance and reliability of the electrical system. The hierarchical control structure, which consists of primary, secondary, and tertiary levels for microgrids that mimic the behavior of the mains grid, is reviewed. The main objective of this article is to give a description of state of the art for distributed power generation systems (DPGS) based on renewable energy and explore the power converters connected in parallel to the grid which are distinguished by their contribution to the formation of the grid voltage and frequency and are accordingly classified in three classes. This analysis is extended focusing mainly on the three classes of configurations: grid-forming, grid-feeding, and grid-supporting. The article ends up with an overview and a discussion of the control structures and strategies to control distribution power generation system (DPGS) units connected to the network.

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A Survey on Control of Electric Power Distributed Generation Systems for Microgrid Applications

Hybrid renewable energy (HRE) system based power generation is a cost effective alternative where power grid extensions are expensive. This system utilizes two or more locally available renewable energy resources such as wind, solar, biomass, biogas and small hydro power with or without conventional fossil fuel energy sources to create standalone mode to meet the energy needs in rural remote areas. This study offers a comprehensive review of the research work carried out in planning, configurations, and modeling and optimization techniques of hybrid renewable energy systems for off grid applications. Hybrid renewable system utilities today are more dependent on an optimal design to minimize the cost function. This paper presents a review of various mathematical models proposed by different researchers. These models have been developed based on objective functions, economics and reliability studies involving design parameters. The present study will familiarize the reader with various optimization techniques of system modeling and enable them to compare these models on the basis of their cost functions. Researchers may consider the most suitable model from the various hybrid renewable system models proposed in this study to develop customized designs for optimizing system size while incurring least cost.

A review on planning, configurations, modeling and optimization techniques of hybrid renewable energy systems for off grid applications

A review on recent sizing methodologies of hybrid renewable energy systems

Optimization with a simulated annealing algorithm of a hybrid system for renewable energy including battery and hydrogen storage

Sizing optimization, dynamic modeling and energy management strategies of a stand-alone PV/hydrogen/battery-based hybrid system

This paper presents a comparative study of four sizing methods for a stand-alone hybrid generation system integrating renewable energies (photovoltaic panels and wind turbine) and backup and storage system based on battery and hydrogen (fuel cell, electrolyzer and hydrogen storage tank). Two of them perform a technical sizing. In one case, the sizing is based on basic equations, and in the other case, an optimal technical sizing is achieved by using Simulink Design Optimization. The other two methods perform an optimal techno-economical sizing by using the hybrid system optimization software HOMER and HOGA, respectively. These methods have been applied to design a stand-alone hybrid system which supplies the load energy demand during a year. A MATLAB-Simulink model of the hybrid system has been used to simulate the performance of hybrid system designed by each method for the stand-alone application under study in this work. The results are reported and discussed in the paper.

Optimal sizing of stand-alone hybrid systems based on PV/WT/FC by using several methodologies

This paper presents a comparative study of four sizing methods for a stand-alone hybrid generation system integrating renewable energies (photovoltaic panels and wind turbine) and backup and storage system based on battery and hydrogen (fuel cell, electrolyzer and hydrogen storage tank). Two of them perform a technical sizing. In one case, the sizing is based on basic equations, and in the other case, an optimal technical sizing is achieved by using Simulink Design Optimization. The other two methods perform an optimal techno-economical sizing by using the hybrid system optimization software HOMER and HOGA, respectively.

Sizing methods for stand-alone hybrid systems based on renewable energies and hydrogen

Hydrokinetic river (HKT) and photovoltaic (PV) panels systems are of the promising technologies to be used for remote rural electrification. In rural areas with access to water and solar resources, renewable generation is a promising option for electrification. This paper presents a study by two sizing methods for a stand-alone hybrid generation system integrating renewable energies (PV panels and hydrokinetic) and storage system based on battery and backup generator diesel. In the first case, optimal technical sizing is achieved by using basic equations and Simulink Design Optimization (SDO). The other method perform an optimal techno-economical sizing by using the hybrid system optimization software HOMER. These methods have been applied to design a stand-alone hybrid system that supplies the load energy demand for one year, minimizing the use of the diesel generator. The results are reported and discussed in the paper.

Sizing optimization of a small hydro/photovoltaic hybrid system for electricity generation in Santay Island, Ecuador by two methods

This paper presents a sizing method and supervisory control for the suitable energy management of a stand-alone hybrid system with photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, hydrogen subsystem and battery. The battery and hydrogen subsystem, composed of fuel cell (FC), electrolyzer and hydrogen storage tank, act as energy storage and support system. A sizing method based on Simulink Design Optimization (SDO) of MATLAB is used to perform a technical optimization of the components of the hybrid system. The dynamic model of the designed hybrid system is detailed in this paper. The models, implemented in MATLAB-Simulink environment, are designed from commercially available components. It is designed, primarily, to satisfy the load power demand and, secondly, to maintain certain level at the hydrogen tank (hydrogen energy reserve), and at the state of charge (SOC) of the battery bank to extend its life.

Higinio Sánchez

Papers

Sizing optimization, dynamic modeling and energy management strategies of a stand-alone PV/hydrogen/battery-based hybrid system

Optimal sizing of stand-alone hybrid systems based on PV/WT/FC by using several methodologies

Sizing methods for stand-alone hybrid systems based on renewable energies and hydrogen

Sizing optimization of a small hydro/photovoltaic hybrid system for electricity generation in Santay Island, Ecuador by two methods

Sizing and energy management of a stand-alone PV/hydrogen/battery-based hybrid system